Looking to get advice from any mechanic. I have a Chevy Lacetti Estate originally an motability car that is for my son. Recently, it broke down with no warning. Towed to my garage, who found the timing belt was slack and therefore no compression to the engine. They were going to charge me for a minimum 8 hours labour to strip the engine to see what was happening. They did not try another belt to see if that would get the engine started. It is a 88/90 model which is why they wouldn't touch it.We need this car for our family for appointments here and in Glasgow for my son as he uses a wheelchair. And to make things worse, my husband has just become ill with Dementia, (he is 52). I am looking for any assistance to find someone who could look at the car to see if it can be fixed without costing me a fortune. By doing so, it gives me a bit of breathing space to arrange a replacement Motability car that requires nil or low deposit. Ideally current car when working would be used as a trade in. Looking for a break. Thanks
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Thread: NHC:Car Mechanical Advice
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29-09-2016 11:18 AM #1
NHC:Car Mechanical Advice
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29-09-2016 07:31 PM #3This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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29-09-2016 07:39 PM #4This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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29-09-2016 08:31 PM #5
- Join Date
- Jul 2014
- Posts
- 46
Modern cars fitted with a timing belt fall into two categories, non-interference and interference.
On a non-interference engine, if the timing belt breaks the engine simply stops immediately and a new belt can be fitted and everything is fine again.
On an interference engine, if the timing belt breaks, it again stops immediately but the pistons are likely to hit and damage the cylinder valves which often will show up as a lack of compression. Should this happen it is possible to look into the engine through the spark plug hole with an instrument known as a borescope and check on any internal damage. The other alternative is to remove the cylinder head which is more time consuming.
If the engine internals are damaged it can be an expensive job to rebuild that particular engine, often it is cheaper to fit a reconditioned or second hand engine, particularly on older cars.
For your car, I don't know if it is interference or non interference but a main dealer would be able to give you that information from the car's registration number.
Timing belts normally need changing every 3-5 years. Has this one been replaced recently?
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29-09-2016 08:36 PM #6
Two car threads on the main forum? There's a hilarious in joke here that I'm just not up to speed with, isn't there?
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29-09-2016 08:42 PM #7This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Thought it was About a Certain Player !!! But Now i Think its Something to Do with Firing on All Cylinders !!
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30-09-2016 07:19 AM #8This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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30-09-2016 07:24 AM #9This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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30-09-2016 11:37 AM #12This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
United we stand here....
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30-09-2016 04:32 PM #13
If it's damaged the interior of the engine, I'm afraid you'll probably be looking at a tow to the scrappies.....Unless you are able to source a replacement engine and at a decent price.
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30-09-2016 05:10 PM #14
I dont want to clutch at straws, but if the previous few posts are any indicator of what's to come, I'd get your sat nav looked at too cos you're way off course.
The Dug out forum is that way >>>>>>>>
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30-09-2016 10:57 PM #15This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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30-09-2016 10:58 PM #16
[QUOTE=BullsCloseHibs;4828957]If it's damaged the interior of the engine, I'm afraid you'll probably be looking at a tow to the scrappies.....Unless you are able to source a replacement engine and at a decent price.[/QUOTE
Thanks.Engine not been looked at yet.
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30-09-2016 10:59 PM #17This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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30-09-2016 11:03 PM #18This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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30-09-2016 11:27 PM #19This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
I drive an old car (02) and it's a great wee runner. I've seen similar ones on Gumtree for about £500.
Rather than pay for a new timing belt, cam shaft and whatever else you need, might be better going for the afore mentioned option.
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01-10-2016 05:43 AM #20This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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